Paragon Prep

Jacklyn Acosta was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She moved to Austin where she became a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Movement Science in 2015. The knowledge and experience that she gained from UT is reflected in her teaching and coaching to best benefit our students.

She teaches Physical Education to Kinder through 8th graders here at Paragon. She brings valuable knowledge on how to make a Physical Education class beneficial to all students so they can learn to enjoy being active for a lifetime. Along with teaching Physical Education she coaches several of the team sports that are offered to the students including volleyball, basketball, and track & field.

Jackie Acosta has been a part of the Paragon Team since 2016.

Haley is a born and bred Austinite. Her educational experiences as a student in Austin include Lamar Middle School, Kealing Magnet Program and McCallum High School. She graduated from Texas State University with a Major in English, a Minor in Dance and teaching certificates for grades 4-12 and English as a Second Language. She returned to her alma mater, Kealing Junior High, for her first teaching job as a 7th grade English teacher in the Magnet program. In 2011, Haley was accepted into the Master¹s Programme for Children’s Literature at the UK’s National Children’s Literature Centre at Roehapmton University in London. She moved to England and completed her Master’s degree in Children’s Literature, with a focus on Young Adult Literature, as well as fulfilling a lifelong dream of living and traveling abroad.

Haley returned to the States and found a position with Del Valle High School. While at Del Valle she taught 9th, 10th, and 11th grade English, Special Education Inclusion classes, English as a Second Language, as well as ran the Junior Varsity and Varsity Cheer Programs. Haley is excited to find a position that combines her passions of literature, world cultures and teaching young people. She is honored to become part of the Paragon Family.

Mrs. Behr has been a part of the Paragon Team since 2015.

Dr. Linda Bullock’s arrival at Paragon Prep has taken some time, several decades, in fact. Most of her classroom teaching experience occurred with the Department of Defense Overseas Dependent Schools, where she taught students in elementary, middle, and secondary grades, as well as soldiers taking night classes after spending their days mastering the use of heavy artillery. Her first classroom was inside a WWII tank repair shop, which was good practice for later teaching in a condemned building and later still, for teaching behind barbed wire. It was a remarkable experience.

​When news came that the base where she worked was closing, Linda returned to the US. She spent the next years placing and supervising preservice teachers while she completed her doctoral degree in Science Education at the University of Texas at Austin. The heavy artillery was gone, but Linda found new forms of excitement.

​After graduation, Linda’s passion for learning led to roles in school administration and then educational publishing, eventually becoming an executive editor. Along the way, she created a variety of multidisciplinary teaching and learning products, some digital, some print, and all across disciplines and age groups.

While Linda acquired skills outside the classroom, she satisfied the need for students in her life by participating in a high-school exchange program. She and her husband served as host parents to 14 students (not all at one time!), eventually being recognized by the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program in Washington, D.C.

​Now Linda’s professional circle has returned to its starting point–the classroom. Here at Paragon Prep, Linda continues her celebration of learning and learners.

Linda Bullock joined Paragon Prep in 2020.

Mr. Buras was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he graduated from University of Holy Cross with both his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (2016) and Master of Arts in Theology (2020). He also studied educational leadership at the graduate level while completing his master’s degree and is continuing his journey of life-long learning by beginning an Associate of Arts in Japanese degree program this coming semester. A teacher of four years, he taught 4th and 5th grade Math, English, and Social Studies.

“I love bringing technology into the classroom in sensible and practical ways to equip students with the tools they need to thrive in the Information Age.”

Stevenson Cease is an experienced educator with a passion for teaching children. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from San Jose State University and has been dedicated to education for 25 years. As a first-year teacher at Paragon Prep, Stevenson brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to his classroom, having taught various grades from 2nd to 5th. Known for his dynamic and innovative teaching approach, Stevenson has also made a significant impact in the digital realm by teaching in the Stratford Online Academy for two years. He seamlessly integrates technology into his lessons, utilizing interactive tools and multimedia platforms to enhance the learning experience. Stevenson’s true passion lies in exploring the world with his wife and two children. Having traveled to 6 continents and 22 different countries, he has amassed a treasure trove of experiences that enrich his teaching.

“I am excited to inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning in my students, making every day in the classroom a transformative experience.”

Morgan Correro was born and raised in Louisiana before she moved to the Austin area just in time for middle school. She attended Cedar Park High School and graduated from Tarleton State University in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Mathematics.

Morgan’s career started with substitute teaching in Round Rock ISD where she found her home at Cedar Ridge High School. She taught many different math courses in her five years there. She then moved to the hill country where she taught middle school math in Burnet CISD for three years. She has recently moved back to the city where she is making her transition into private school here at Paragon.

Morgan enjoys music and movies in her spare time as well as spending time with her friends, family, and her dog Beaux!

Paige is a passionate, energetic educator who has lived in Austin for the past sixteen years. She graduated from Baylor University with a major in English Language Arts and Reading and holds teaching certifications for grades 8-12 and English as a Second Language. She started her teaching career as an 11th grade English teacher at Del Valle High School in 2007. Throughout her twelve years at Del Valle High School, she also taught 10th and 12th grade English, Special Education Inclusion and Pre-AP classes, was the English Department Chair, and a leader of her professional learning community. Paige then transitioned to teaching at the middle school level where she taught 8th grade English at Ojeda Middle School for three years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, hiking, and soaking up the beautiful city of Austin. Paige is excited about her position at Paragon that allows her to work with children, help them find their voice, and improve their skills.

Daniel “Señor” Diffen is bringing 7 years of Spanish teaching experience to the team. Daniel is a Paragon dad and a graduate of UT-Austin where he majored in Spanish Literature and the Plan II Honors Program. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Texas State University.

“For me, the most important question in teaching is the ‘why?’ Why are we studying this? My teaching philosophy focuses on connecting with the students and letting them help choose what direction we will go next. In Spanish classes, that can look like making a cooking video or planning a vacation to southern Spain.”

Mrs. Chandra Floyd is an educator with extensive experience in the development of curriculum, differentiated instruction, and classroom management. She is known to provide an organized, nurturing environment for all of her students. Mrs. Floyd holds a BS in Elementary Education from DePaul University and numerous teaching certifications.

Mrs. Floyd comes to Paragon from Charlotte, North Carolina where she taught literacy for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She began her teaching career as a Kindergarten Teacher at the St. Vincent DePaul Center in Chicago in 1997. Since then she has taught Pre-school, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade at great schools in cities around the country, including – Nashville, Sacramento, Richmond, Atlanta, Cranberry, and Farmington.

In addition to teaching academic classes to her young students, Mrs. Floyd has also served as a Running Coach for Girls on the Run since 2013. Mrs. Floyd is excited to settle in Austin and to join a school that can be her longtime home.

Jack Geiser taught 1st and 2nd grade at Brentwood Elementary in AISD for 20 years, and is now retired from AISD. During that time he was twice elected teacher of the year by his campus. He was a valued, active member of the school community and treated his students with care, and respect for their individuality.

​Mr. Geiser graduated from high school at the Singapore American School in 1974. Some years later he graduated with High Honors from UT with a BS in Radio Television and Film. Later still, he went back to UT and went through the teacher certification program and got his certificate to teach grades 1-8 with a specialty in History.

​Music has always been his creative outlet. He started playing guitar in 2nd grade, and has been playing ever since. He has been a guitarist and singer in bands around central Texas since 1979. He also dabbles in piano, banjo, drums, bass and harmonica. For the past 10 years he has been writing a lot of songs, some of which can be found on Amazon and Spotify.

​He loves teaching, and he loves Music. He is happy to join the Paragon community.

Alisha Greif (Mrs. G.) received her education degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently working on her Masters in Library Sciences at Texas Woman’s University. She has worked in Austin ISD schools for 15 years and most recently was an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and case manager at Sunset Valley and Joslin Elementary Schools. Mrs. G looks forward to working with Paragon’s youngest learners to help build a foundation for life-long learning and independence.

She uses Social Emotional Learning strategies to reinforce a caring culture of kindness, acceptance, responsibility, respect, and safety first.

At home, Alisha enjoys baking, playing and hanging out with her daughter, Ava, who is also joining the Paragon family as a PreK student, and her husband, Brad, who is a classic car and hot rod mechanic.

Lindsay Hay graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Film, with minors in Marketing and Psychology. After college, she spent 8 years in the Motion Picture Film Industry as a camera technician in Florida, Colorado, and Alabama. When motherhood called, Lindsay fine-tuned her photography skills from home, while homeschooling her children. After preschool teaching, freelance photography, and working as a website administrator, Lindsay found her way to Paragon.

Lindsay runs the day-to-day operations of Paragon, plans and executes school events, and loves including parents in their child’s education. She wears many hats at Paragon and loves the variety of activities that she can share with the students.

​”The opportunity to interact with students during such an important transformational time in their development offers me purpose in my life and a wonderful reason to come to work everyday.” Lindsay will earn her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in December 2022 and looks to continue to expand her skills at Paragon for years to come. “I love watching the students grow up and helping them with the Paragon journey. There is something educationally fantastic happening here and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.”

​Lindsay has four children (all of which have attended Paragon) a supportive husband, and a dog named Ketchup.

Lindsay Hay has been a part of the Paragon Team since 2010.